A7

By Peggy Oliver

A new band of brothers echo similarities to a very famous gospel family. They also have many skills outside the music industry under their belt. The sextet, A7, features six brothers (plus Christ as the honorary addition). Their self-titled debut from Triple A Entertainment recalls modern R&B grooves The Winans utilized in the nineties, particularly when New Jack Swing producer Teddy Riley’s It’s Time changed the way gospel would be heard henceforth.

The Harris Brothers (Arcelious, Alonzo, Andronicus, Antipas, Antonio and lead vocalist Alexander) began professionally in 1997, sparked by ambitious parents who founded an institution, Christian Way Academy. Besides touring colleges, churches and theme parks including Six Flags Over Georgia, they began to get critical recognition on the WORD Network, Trinity Broadcasting (TBN), and Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel on Black Entertainment Television (BET). During President George W. Bush’s second term inauguration, A7 was one of several musical participants. What separates some of the pack in vocal groups is the Georgia-based group’s depth between all six members; one who received a mathematics degree, another, a successful clothing designer, and a practicing lawyer.

Street savvy translates in the bump and grind rhythms for Bring In The Noise, a challenge to take the Word outside the church walls. In the battle of earthly struggles, Cry No More promises light in the eternal: “Teary eyes you don’t have to cry no more.” The hiccupping drum lines add tension to the song’s theme.

Church Time In The South documents a diary of a church service, from the arrival in church, to the musicians playing, and then everyone teaming up to say Amen. A marching band arrangement flows well with that greasy praise organ bits.

Finding your quest through the obstacle course? The ballad, Don’t Walk Away, tells us Christ will catch us when we fall. “What you’re looking for…what you need is knocking at your door, the choice is yours.” That would be a Friend Like Jesus, a bouncy jam asking to call on Him for anything and trust His timing.